Student Financial Services

Veteran Services

Frank Phillips College honors all veterans and active-duty military for their service to our country.  If you are a veteran, or a survivor or dependent of a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran's educational benefits to help you achieve a valuable education.

Educational programs

• GI Bill® benefits
• Hazlewood Act

Documents for VA certification

• REQUIRED Documents for VA certification (PDF)

Forms

• VA Enrollment Request Form
• Change of Program Request-veterans (PDF)
• Change of Program Request-survivors/dependents (PDF)
• Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application
• Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Documentation Checklist
• Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption for Continued Enrollment

Questions?
Contact Sage Wyatt, Student Financial Services at (806) 457-4200 ext. 636 or by email at [email protected].

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Trademark_Terms_of_Use.asp

Policies & Guidelines

Previous education/training evaluation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires that all previous education and training be evaluated for possible credit. Students are responsible for furnishing the FPC Veterans Representative with official transcripts from all schools previously attended. (This includes civilian colleges and universities, CLEP exams, and military transcripts)

Enrollment certification
Enrollment will not be certified to the VA until all necessary documentation has been received by the FPC Veterans' Representative.

Declaring a major
All veterans receiving VA benefits are required to declare an FPC major.

• Veterans are allowed to take only courses required under the selected FPC degree plan, approved electives, and prerequisite courses. Courses used as approved electives or as substitutes for required courses must be approved (in writing) by your faculty advisor and documentation furnished to the FPC Veterans Representative.
• The VA will not pay veterans for repeating coursework previously passed at FPC or other institutions. (Grades of "D" may transfer and be applied to your FPC degree program.)

Payment of Benefits
The VA pays on a post-payment system, which means the veteran will be paid for the month after it has passed. Payment is made by the VA Regional Office. The first payment takes six to eight weeks after the term begins. Checks are mailed directly to the veteran's address. Please notify the FPC Veterans' Representative of any change of address.

Withdrawing from courses
Withdrawal from courses may result in overpayments and repayment of any money received for the courses from which you withdraw. Consult with the FPC Veterans' Representative before withdrawing from courses. You must notify the Veterans' Representative after any course changes.

Developmental education
The VA will pay for developmental education courses only if the veteran has taken a Texas Success Initiative assessment and the resulting scores indicate a need for developmental education.

Veterans who are required to take developmental education courses will be withdrawn from all courses if they do not enroll in required course(s).

Financial responsibility
Students are responsible for the cost of all tuition, fees, and books.

• Frank Phillips College, in compliance with the requirements of Title 38 USC 3679(e) will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Student Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities

Students have a RIGHT to ask:

• What financial assistance is available?
• What are the deadlines for submitting applications?
• What is the cost of attending and refund policies?
• What criteria is used to select financial aid recipients?
• How is financial need determined?
• What criteria is used to determine the amount of student's award?
• What is satisfactory progress, and does it affect me?

It is the students' RESPONSIBILITY to:

• Be informed about the institution before enrolling.
• Complete all forms accurately and submit them on time.
• Read and understand forms they are asked to sign.
• Know and comply with deadlines.
• Report all changes in address, telephone number, name, grants, scholarships, and school status to the Student Financial Services Office.
• Accept responsibility for all signed agreements.

Grant Aid

Grants are considered gift aid and do not require repayment unless the student reduces his/her course load, never attends class, quits attending class, or withdraws from school prior to the completion of the semester.  Grants are awarded based on financial need. There are several types of grants available for students.

• Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is designed to provide eligible students with financial assistance to help defray the cost of education. Funds awarded through this program do not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined on the basis of a formula developed annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Students apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When applications are processed, students receive a FAFSA Submission Summary, which is the official notification of eligibility for Title IV programs. The school will receive this information electronically if the student lists Frank Phillips College’s Title IV School Code 003568. Students should contact Student Financial Services to determine the actual amount of their award. If the FAFSA Submission Summary states the student is not eligible for Federal Pell Grant, he/she may be eligible for other aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending upon financial need, amount of other aid received, when application is received, and the availability of funds allocated to Frank Phillips College. This program is administered by the Director of Student Financial Services.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant provides grant aid to students with financial need who are enrolled in a Texas public two-year college. To be eligible for a TEOG award, a student must be classified by the institution as a Texas resident, be registered with Selective Service (or be exempt), have financial need, be enrolled at least half-time, not have attempted more than 30 semester credit hours (excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination), not have earned an associate or baccalaureate degree and not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance. The grant is renewable if the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements. This program is administered by the Director of Student Financial Services.

Scholarships

Scholarships, like grants, are funds that do not require repayment.  Scholarships are coordinated through the Frank Phillips College Development Corporation and private donors.  Students receiving a Frank Phillips College scholarship must use the award while attending FPC.  Funds will not be disbursed to a student for transfer to another college or university, or for personal use.

There are many scholarship opportunities for students attending Frank Phillips College.  Scholarships can vary significantly in eligibility criteria; some are merit based and others are need based. Each year, through the generous support of FPC donors, more scholarships become available.  Click here for a list of current FPC scholarships and to apply.  You only need to complete one application to apply for all FPC scholarships. 

Local Scholarships are possibly available in your area.  Local service and civic organizations, churches, businesses quite often sponsor scholarship programs.  Your local high school counselor should be able to provide you with this information.

Scholarship Search Services
The U.S. Department of Education does not evaluate private scholarship search services. If you should decide to use one of these, you may check with the Better Business Bureau or the Texas State Attorney Generals Office.

The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit
The Hope Scholarship is actually a tax credit, not a scholarship.  We recommend that you consult your personal tax advisor.

The U.S. Department of Education and the State of Texas frequently change regulations pertaining to financial aid. Since FPC complies with all legislative mandates, federal and state regulations, the Student Financial Services office reserves the right to make policy and procedure changes during the award year. If changes occur, they will be updated on the FPC web site.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study offers eligible students an opportunity to earn their financial aid through employment.  A completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be needed. Student must verify eligibility with the financial aid office.

Students employed through the Federal Work Study program are paid bi-weekly. Time sheets must be submitted on the appropriate dates each month in order to receive payment. Students who fail to submit their time sheet by the designated date will not receive payment until the following pay period.

Please submit the following application is you are interested in Federal Work Study opportunities: Federal Work Study Application

SFS Cost of Attendance

Frank Phillips College Net Price Calculator

Cost of Attendance 

The cost of attendance is developed by the student financial aid office and is the estimate of tuition and fees; cost of housing and food (or living expenses); cost of books, course materials, supplies, and equipment; transportation; and miscellaneous/personal expenses. The cost of attendance is used to calculate a student’s eligibility for financial aid and is a representation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend Frank Phillips College for an academic year. The total cost for each category is based on nine-month fall/spring semesters. For Cosmetology, Welding and Nursing, the total cost is representative of the program for the academic year.

2024-25 Cost of Attendance

2024-25 Cost of Attendance Methodology

2023-24 Student Financial Services Cost of Attendance

2023-24 Student Financial Services Cost of Attendance Methodology

Special and/or Unusual Circumstances

When students and/or their families experience a change in financial circumstances, the information on the FAFSA may no longer accurately reflect their financial situation. In some cases, Student Financial Services may be able to adjust income information based on these special and/or unusual circumstances.

Students and Families Affected by COVID-19, Recent National Emergencies, or Natural Disasters

If you or your family have been affected by national emergencies like COVID-19 or natural disasters like flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes, you may consider requesting a special circumstances review. A review does not guarantee additional financial support but does allow Financial Aid & Scholarships to consider any loss of wages or out-of-pocket expenses you or your family incurred as a result of the incident.

Special Circumstances

• Adjustments may be considered for loss of income for the following reasons:
• Job termination or loss of income (due to change of job, reduction in hours worked or retirement)
• Divorce or separation after the FAFSA was completed
• Death of a parent or spouse after the FAFSA was completed
• Reduced earnings due to disability or natural disaster
• Loss or reduction of untaxed income or benefits
• Loss or reduction of child support/alimony received
• Child support paid
• Housing expenses
• Medical or dental expenses
• Dependent care expenses
• Private school tuition

As part of the special circumstances process, Student Financial Services will ask for applicable financial estimates for the student, parent(s), or spouse (if married). When estimating income, please include all sources of potential income for the year, including but not limited to wages, bonuses, severance, unemployment, and disability.

Unusual Circumstances

• Human trafficking, as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
• Legally granted refugee or asylum status;
• Parental abandonment or estrangement; or
• Student or parental incarceration.

As part of the unusual circumstances process, Student Financial Services will ask for applicable documentation to support the unusual circumstance.

How to Request a Special or Unusual Circumstances Review

Complete the relevant aid year FAFSA at fafsa.gov

Contact Student Financial Services to schedule an appointment to discuss your changed financial circumstances.

Student Financial Services will assess eligibility for professional judgment, and if they determine the circumstances justify further review, they will request a written narrative and supporting documentation.

The special circumstances review cannot be processed until all documentation is submitted. Once all documentation has been successfully submitted, please allow up to four to six weeks for processing.

Special Circumstance and Unusual Circumstance Timeline and Deadlines

Special Circumstances and Unusual Circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and a final decision will be based on the eligible reason and supporting documentation provided. Be sure to include sufficient supporting documentation for the review. Request for missing or additional documentation that are not responded to in a timely manner can lead to a denial. Requests are reviewed in the order received. The process can take 2-4 weeks and may be delayed longer due to certain circumstances or request for additional information/documentation.

All documents must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the end of academic year or period of enrollment to be considered for review. Approvals are not guaranteed. Official communications regarding the appeal decision will be sent via student email.

If the special circumstances review results in increased eligibility for aid and if funds are available, you may receive additional assistance. If your review results in increased eligibility, you may be asked to provide documentation (such as federal income tax documents) at the end of the calendar year to verify the accuracy of your income projections or projected expenses. If changes need to be made and these changes result in reduced eligibility, you may have to repay aid. Additionally, student loan amounts are limited by federal regulation.

Tuition Exemptions

Texas offers various programs which are exempt or waive tuition, fees, and other expenses related to attending public institutions of higher education.

• Blind/Deaf Student Exemption
• Children of Disabled or Deceased Firefighters & Law Enforcement Officers
• Children of Professional Nursing Program Faculty and Staff
• Competitive Scholarship Waiver
• Education Benefits for Certain Survivors
• Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses
• Foster Care Exemption
• Peace Officers & Firefighters Disabled in the Line of Duty
• Pease Officers Enrolled in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Courses